Excavating-machine.



- W.. M. BROWN.

BXGAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23, 1907.

900,659. Patented 001;. 6, 1908.

' mums-sum 1.

Witumoe'o l. ms upmus PEYERS 00., wnsnnqcrou, n. c.

W M. BROWN.

EXGAVATING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 23, 1901.

W. M. BRO.WN.- E'XGAVATING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED in? 2a, 1907.

Patefited 0011.6, 1908.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Witnesses 1n: NORRIS PETERS 00., wll'sumawn, D. c.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4'.

Patented Oct. 6,

mw mm B 2 m .a w

Witness rm: woRRls PETERS cm, WASH|NGTON,'D. c4

WILLIAM BROWN, OF OROOKSTON, MINNESOTA.

EXOAVATING-MACHIN E.

Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Oct. 6, 1908.

Application filed July 23, 1907. Serial No. 385,168.

To all whom it may concern:

-Be it known that I, WILLIAM MILES BROWN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Orookstomin the county of Folk and State ofMinnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Excavating-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to ditching and excavating machines adapted to beused for digging or excavating ditches, drainage canals, and irrigationditches and the like; and it has for its object to simplify and improvethe construction and operation of' this class of devices; to provide amachine of simple construction which shall be operable in two directionsso that it will not be necessary to turn the machine at the end of theexcavation; to provide a machine in which the dirt that is beingexcavated maybe conveniently discharged at either side of the excavationand at a suitable distance therefrom; to provide an improved structurein which the excavating member shall be movable laterally of the frameof the ma chine,-so that an excavation of considerable width may be madewithout re-setti'ng or readjusting the machine; and to construct amachine of the character described which shall possess superioradvantage in point of simplicity, durability and general efficiency Withthese and other ends in view which will readily appear as the nature ofthe inventionis better understood, the same consists in the improvedconstruction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which willbe hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferredform of the invention; it being, however, understood that no limitationis necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited,but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of theinvention may be resorted to when desired.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top planview of a portion of anexcavating machine constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the plane indicatedby the line 22 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken onthe plane indicated by the line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a'verticaltransverse sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 44 inFig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the laterally adjustable framewhich serves to sup ort the scoop frame and related parts. Fig. 6 is avertical sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 6-6 inFig. 5. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the machine in positionfor operation. 1

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by likecharacters of reference.

The two ends of the improved machine are practically of identicalconstruction; and in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the central portionand one end of the machine, only, has been shown, for the purpose ofshowing the parts on a larger scale than would otherwise bepossible itbeing understood that the end of the machine which does not appear inthese views is a duplication of the end which isshown.

The main frameA of the improved machine is preferably built ofstructural iron; it being composed of beams or bars of any suitablecross-section to insure the necessary qualities of lightness andstrength; said bars or beams being assembled in any convenient manner toform a frame structure of the desired dimensions; the main framebeingsubstantially rectangular in shape, and supported at the endsthereof in trucks, one of which is shown atB; said truck including thewheels 1, axle 2 and bolster 3; the latter being mounted pivotallybeneath the frame upon a king bolt 4 which is equipped with a pinion 5meshing with a pinion 6 upon a steering rod 7 having a hand wheel 8 bymeans of which it may be manipulated to steer the machine.

- The main frame A supports at its center an auxiliary frame C includingposts or uprights 9. This auxiliary frame supports a main shaft 10 whichextends transversely across the main frame and which is of non-circularcross-section forthe greater portion of its length, as'will be clearlyseen by reference to Fig. 2 where a shaft of s uare cross-section hasbeen shown. Slidab y mounted upon the shaft 10 is a main driving pulley11,

which latter is preferably grooved for the accommodation of a chain,cable or other flexible element which may be wound at least once aroundsaid pulley.

Suitably supported in brackets 12 that depend from the sides of the mainframe, adj acent to the auxiliary frame 0, are transverse shafts one ofwhich is shown at 13; slidably supported upon said shaft 13 is a frame Dincluding the beams or side members 14, the outer ends of which aresecured upon and connected by a plate carrying a suitably constructedscoop 16 having a sharp edge 17 adapted for engagement with the soilthat is to be excavated.

18 is an elevator frame or trough, the upper end of which is slidablymounted upon a transverse shaft 19 of square or non-circularcross-section; the lower end of said frame or trough being looselysupported. upon the plate 15 adjacent to the scoop 16. The frame ortrough 18 supports an endless carrier 20 of suitable construction; saidcarrier being mounted upon rollers 21 and 22, the former of whichslidably engages the shaft 19, while the latter is mounted upon a shaft23 near the lower end of the frame 18.

The main frame A includes transversely disposed channel bars 24, saidchannel bars being disposed in pairs above the lower end of the frame D;said channel bars serve to support a laterally slidable frame E whereinis ournaled a transverse shaft 25 having grooved. wheels or pulleys 26upon which are wound chains or flexible elements 27, the freeextremities of which are made fast to the frame D, near the free end ofthelatter. The shaft 25 carries a worm gear 28 meshing with a worm 29upon a shaft 30 which is suitably supported for rotation in the frame Eand carries at its upper end a hand wheel 31 whereby it may bemanipulated to effect rotation of the shaft 25, thereby winding orunwinding the flexible elements 27 and raising or lowering the free endof the frame D, as may be desired. The frame E also carries an uprightshaft 32 having a hand wheel 33 and secured upon said shaft, and woundseveral times thereon are the inner ends of chains or flexible elements34, the opposite ends of which are made fast to the sides of the mainframe A thus it will be seen that by rotating the shaft 32, so as towind one and unwind the other of the chains 84, the frame E may be movedtransversely of the frame A, thus offecting lateral adjustment of theend of the frame D with which the said frame E is connected by means ofthe flexible elements 27 For the purpose of effecting lateral adjustmentof the upper end of the frame I) there is provided an upright shaft 35,supported for rotation in suitable bearings upon th frame A and providedwith a hand v. heel 3G. Suitably secured to the shaft 35 are the ends ofa pair of chains or flexible elements 37, said flexible elements beingguided over suitably supported pulleys 38 and connected with theopposite sides of the frame D, near the upper end of said frame. F orthe purpose of effecting lateral adjustment of said frame D the shafts32 and 35 are preferably rotated simultaneously and in unison, thuscausing the said frame D to slide or move upon the supporting shaft 13,the elevator trough or frame 18 sliding in like manner upon thetransverse shaft 1 9, until the desired. adjustment has been effected.liy this run struction a scoop of suitable width may be mounted in asupporting frame of a idth greatly exceeding that of .:aid scoop, andthe latter may be adjusted to make an exravat ion of any desired Width\iithin the limits of the Width of the supporting frame in two or moreoperations, thus enabling a machine, capable of making an excavation oflarge dinnnsions to be o iierai'od successfully with romparatively lightmotive power. it is obvious t hat no limitation is made to thedimensions or proportions shown in the arrompauying dravv ings, but thatthe supporting frame may be made, relativel of much greater nidth, thusenabling a eorres 'iondingly vvide r e. ira vation to be made by themachine.

Supported in suitable bearings below and parallel to the main shaft 11)is a siaa't ihi which receives motion from said main shaft .10 throughthe medium of a chain it) eng=iging sprocket vi'heels upon. the aidshafts. i rlonnted upon the shaft 231) is a sprocket. wheel 41 from.vihieh motion transmitted by a link belt to a sprocket: wheel 1.; uponthe shaft 19 21inch supports the upperond of the carrier tri'iugh it!and of ti o endless carrier mounted in said trough.

Suitably supported ansversil of the main frame in an endless carrier'11; said carrier being arranged l noatli the disrhzirgo ends of thecarriers 21) in the troughs or frames 18 extending towards the tvsoriids of the main frame A. The carrier-1i is mount ed upon rollers 115upon longitudinal shafts 4.6; the means for driving the endless carrier44 n ill be presently drsrribrd.

The sides of the frame A are provided r. it h lateral y extending lugsor hraeitets -17 supporting shafts -18 upon \rhirh thrrarriir fran es-19 are hingedly 11l 1l11i '(l 1 said fra ines are provided near theirout or ends wit it shaft s 51 'nhirh serve, in conjum'tion with theshafts 48, to support endless rarrien-i :31 of suitable dimensions. .lf'ivoially sup iorted upon the shaft 49 adjacent to th lugs oriilffialhiS 41-7, are l:-ra -e rods 53 rabieh run-- verge outwardly toform V-shaprd frunns i the apices of uliich are connected with th sidesof the carrier frames 111 by means of chains or flexible elements 5;)..dditional chains or .flexible elements 531 ('onnnrt th apices of theframes l! \Yit h shafts 5:; that are supported for rotation in theauxiliary frame C, said shafts 55 c mstituting drums upon which theflexible elements 5 .1 may be rxouud for the purpose of elevating theouter or free ends of the carrier frame Elfi. 'lhe drums or shafts 55may be operated in any suitable manner; in the dranings, there have beenshown. additional shafts 5d, supportrd par allel to the shafts 55 andhaving piuions 5T meshing with pinions 52% upon. the shaft 535. Theshafts 56 are provided \-;it h hand v-Jhoels 59 whereby they may berotated for the purpose of rotatin the shafts to wind or unwind theflexible elements 54, as may be desired, for the purpose of effectingthe desired adjustment of the carrier frames 49. Suitable well knownmeans of any kind may be used for the purpose of retaining the shafts 55at various adjustments, or for the purpose of checking their rotation;but-such means are well known in this class of mechanism and have notbeen illustrated.

Countershafts 60 are supported for rotation in the auxiliary frame 0above'and adjacent to the shafts 55, and said countershafts are providedwith bevel pinions 61 meshing with bevel pinions 62 upon the main shaft10, from which motion will thus be transmitted to the countershafts60.One of the latter carries a sprocket Wheel 63 which is connected by alink belt 64 with a sprocket wheel 65 upon one of the shafts 46supporting the transversely disposed endless carrier 44, which will thusbe driven.

Suitably secured upon the sides of themain frame A, adjacent to theendless carrier 44 are aprons 66 overhanging the carriers 51 supportedby the frames 49 for the purpose of guiding material from the saidcarrier 44 onto either one of the carriers 51, as will be readilyunderstood.

In operation the improved machine is intended to run in the ditch. orexcavation that is to be made, the machine being obviously made ofsuitable dimensions, especially as to width, to make an excavation of adesired size.

The machine-may be propelled by power supplied by two stationaryengines, one at either end of the work, the power being trans mitted bymeans of a chain or cable one end of which is attached to ashort tongueor draft member at the end of the excavator, the other end beingattached to a drum or capstan device on the engine.

The elevators may be driven by a wire cable, V passing around the pulley11 upon the shaft 10 of the machine, the ends of said cable beinganchored or made fast in any suitable manner adjacent to the end of thepath of the excavating machine, or the elevators may be driven by agasolene, steam or other motor supportedupon the main frame of themachine, said motor being utilized for transmitting motion through anysuitable intermediate mechanism of the shaft 10 carrying the pulley 11.It will be under stood, however, that no limitation is intended to bemade to these or to any other particular methods of operating themachine to propel the same or to supply motive power to the live partsof the machine. Under some circumstances it may be desirable toconstruct a machine operable in one direction only but involving in itsstructure the principles herein shown and described a machine of suchstructure, which will be comconveyed over the scoop onto the endless,

carrier 2-0 whereby it is conveyed to the transversely disposed carrier44, which latter discharges onto the carrier 51 at either side of theframe, thus causing the dirt to be discharged at the side of the ditch,and at any desired distance from the excavation. The

dirt may obviously be discharged into the boxes of dump wagons or otherreceptacles, if desired, or it may be dumped at the side of the ditch.

The machine may, as previously stated, be operated by a stationaryengine, and when this is the case it will obviously make a trip or alength which is governed by the amount of available power, and by thelength of flexible connections that are being utilized; when the end ofthe excavation or the end of the trip is reached, the movement isreversed; it being obvious that the scoop frame which is temporarily atthe rear end of the machine will be raised to a position where it willnot interfere with the progress of the machine.

The scoop carrying frame D may be readily adjusted by the means providedfor the purpose, as hereinbefore described, and it is obvious that thelower or free end of the frame 18 supporting the carrier 20, which restsloosely upon the frame D will be adjusted with the latter.

The improved machine is simple in construction, and thoroughly efficientfor the purposes for which it is provided.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1.In an excavating machine, a wheel supported traveling frame, shaftssupported transversely in said frame, a scoop carrying frame laterallyslidable u on one of said shafts, a carrier frame slidably supportedupon the other shaft and loosely supported at its free end upon thescoop carrying frame, means for effecting lateral adjustment of thescoop carrying frame, and means for effecting rotation of the shaftsupporting the carrier frame.

2. In an excavating machine, a wheel supported traveling frame, shaftssup 7 orted transversely in said frame, a lateraly adjustable scoopcarrying frame slidable upon one of said shafts, a transverselyadjustable carrier frame slidable upon the other shaft, an adjustingframe supported in the traveling frame for transverse slidable movement,

a drum carrying shaft supported for rotation in the adjusting frame,flexible elements connecting the said shaft with the free end of thescoop carrying frame, means for effecting transverse adjustment of thelatter, and a hand operated shaft carrying a worm gear for effectingrotation of the shaft supporting the carrier frame.

3. In an excavating machine, a wheel supported traveling frame,laterally adjustable scoop carrying frames supportel tl erein, carriertroughs having free ends supported by the scoop carrying frames andadjusted with the latter, a transversely disposed endless carrierarranged intermediate the carrier troughs to receive material dischargedfrom the latter, laterally extending endless carriers supported beneathand adjacent to the trans versely disposed endless carrier, and meansfor operating the several carriers.

4. In an excavating machine, a wheel supported traveling frame havingtransversely disposed shafts and transversely disposed channel bars, anadjusting frame slidabl supported by the channel bars, a scoop carryingframe slidably supported upon one of the transverse shafts, a carrierframe slidably supported upon another transverse shaft and having a freeend supported upon the trough carrying frame, a drum carrying shaftsupported for rotation in the adjusting frame, flexible elementsconnecting said shaft with the free end of the scoop carrying frame, aWorm gear upon the drum carrying shaft, an adjusting shaft having a wormmeshing with said gear, means for effecting transverse adjustment of theadjusting frame, means for effecting transverse adjustment of the scoopcarrying frame, and means for rotating the shaft supporting the carrierframe.

5. In an excavating machine, a wheel supported traveling frame havinglaterally extending lugs or brackets, shafts supported for rotation insaid brackets, carrier frames pivoted upon, said shafts, endlesscarriers supported in said frames, supporting bars pivoted upon the lugsor brackets and converging to form V-shaped frames, flexible elementsconnecting the apices of said frames With the carrier frames, shaftssupported for.

rotation upon the traveling frame, and flexible elements connecting saidshafts with the apices of the V-shaped frames.

6. In an excavating machine, a wheel supported traveling frame, anauxiliary frame supported thereon, transversely slidable scoop carryingframes, transversely slidable carrier frames having free ends supportedupon the scoop carrying frames, endless carriers in the said frames, atransversely disposed endless earrier supported beneath the dischargeends of said endless carriers, laterally extending endless carrierssupported beneath and adjacent to the transversely disposed. endlesscarrier, a transversely disposed main shaft having a chain wheel, and mans for transmitting motion from said main shaft to the several carriersof the machine.

7. In an excavating machine, a wheel supported traveling frame havingtransversely disposed shafts and transversely disposed. channel bars, alaterally slidable frame supported by the channel bars, a scoop carryingframe slidably supported upon one of the transverse shafts, an elevatorframe slidahly supported upon a nut and transverse shaft and having itsfree end supported. upon the scoop carrying frame, a drum carrying shaftsupported. for rotation in the laterally slidable fra 1e, flexibleelements connecting said shaft with the free end of the scoop earlframe, worm gear upon the drum carrying shaft, an adjusting shaft havinga worm meshing with said gear, means for effecting transverse ad ustmentof the laterally slid ahle frame, means for effecting trauswu'seadjustment of the scoop carryingframe. means for rotating t] c shaftsupporting the elevator frame, and means carried. by the shafts foraffecting the desired adjustment of the latter mentioned frame.

8. In an excavating machine, a wheel supported traveling frame havingdepending hangers or brackets, a transverse shaft supported by saidhangers, a scoop -arrying frame slidably supported upon. said shaft, anadjusting frame supported in the traveling frame for transverse slidable movement, upright shafts carried by the traveling frame. and theadjusting frame and provided with. hand wheels, said upright shaftshaving chains wound thereon, said chains being connected. to the sidesof the wheel supporting frame and to the sides of the scoop carryingframe for effecting lateral adjustment of said. scoop carrying frame.

In testimony whereof, I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM BHLES BRLRYN.

itnesses A. V. Snonrmn, Cums. \Ymnnnonrna.

